The Yoga Of Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism is the study of consciousness. Consciousness is the most intimate experience of life the essence of life itself. Among the many spiritual traditions born and developed in India, one ancient philosophy-Kashmir Shaivism-has explored it completely. Consciousness is the most intimate experience of life, the essence of life itself. Among the many spiritual traditions born and developed in India, one ancient philosophy-Kashmir Shaivism-has explored it completely. Until now, Kashmir Shaivism was an esoteric field accessible only to a few scholars and other specialists. Here, for the first time, Swami Shankarananda, a Self-realised spiritual master, presents the wisdom of this powerful tradition in a form that will delight and inspire all spiritual seekers. He explores the teachings in rich detail, elucidating ideas and meditative practices while drawing upon a vast canvas of many great beings, wisdom traditions and personal experience. When Kashmir Shaivism is studied the way a subject at university is studied, it becomes a set of principles and concepts, which are rich and suggestive. But Kashmir Shaivism is not only food for the intellect. It also implies direct nurturance of the soul, the direct experience of consciousness itself. The goal of this book is to inspire spiritual seekers to make sure of the sublime methods and understandings of Shaivism in their own practice. The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism is a book that will transform you. It is a resource and guides you towards investigating and deepening your own consciousness.

Consciousness Is Everything Until now, Kashmir Shaivism was an esoteric field accessible only to a few scholars and other specialists. In his book Swamiji presents the wisdom of this powerful tradition and explores Consciousness, the most intimate experience of life. Swami Shankarananda has succeeded in making Kashmir Shaivism come alive in these pages, and I consider this work the best introduction to that tradition thus far. Georg Feuerstein, author

Swami Lakshman Jee is the last living Master of the oral tradition in Kashmir Shaivism. This exposition of the non-dual philosophy with practical applications is his first book in English. The tantric teachings are hidden in a language of allusion and symbol. Swamiji offers the skeleton key of the oral tradition that allows access to the secrets. The intent is to preserve the tradition and to make it available. The emphasis is on practical realization of Truth through the experiences of Kundalini Yoga. The author contrasts this realization with the concepts of liberation taught by other schools of Indian philosophy, especially Advaita Vedanta. Kashmir Shaivism experiences the world as real and true--as real and true as the existence of God. Liberation is the unbroken awareness of this universe as one's own transcendental Consciousness. It is a blissful realization.

Cutting across distinctions of schools and types, the author explains the central feature of Kashmir Saivism: the creative pulse of the all-pervasive Consciousness called Siva. This is also the central theme of the Hindu Tantras, and Dyczkowski provides new insight into the most literate and extensive interpretations of the Tantras. This book is significant from four points of view. First, it breaks new ground in Indian philosophy. According to the Spanda Doctrine, the self is not simply witnessing consciousness as maintained by Sankhya and Vedanta, but is an active force. Second, the ultimate reality is not simply a logical system of abstract categories, but is living, pulsating energy, the source of all manifestation. Third, the work elaborates the dynamic aspect of consciousness. It supplies an excellent introduction to the texts and scriptures of Kashmir Saivism. Fourth, it suggests a Yoga for the realization of self.

This book presents the oral teachings of the twentieth century's great Kashmir Shaivite master. The last of his long lineage, Swami Lakshmanjoo preserved, as did his predecessors, the oral knowledge that illuminates this ancient philosophy--that clarifies the often deliberately obscure tantric texts. Swami Lakshmanjoo reveals the essence of the way and the means to self realization. Here in his own original discourses, as well as in his English renderings of Abhinavagupta and Kshemaraja, he unveils the essential teachings of this yoga philosophy. Swami Lakshmanjoo reveals the tantric understanding of the purpose and reason for creation. He offers instruction on the greatness and importance of the supreme mantra sauh\ . In his presentation of effective practice, he explains why meditation is both effortless and, at the same time, difficult. In his discussion of discipline he clarifies why personal habits and dispositions play an important part in spiritual growth. Finally, in his unveiling of the path of Kundalini yoga, he is intent on exposing and thereby preserving this hidden and elevated process while warning of its pitfalls. Contains 8 black and white, 14 full color photographs.

This book clarifies the relationship between God and the creation for Gaudapada, Bhartrhari, and Shankara, and by doing so, demonstrates a major continuity of thought from Gaudapada through Bhartrhari to Abhinavagupta and Kashmir Shaivism.